Director, Research IT

The Director of Research IT provides strategic leadership, governance, and operational oversight for the university’s research technology ecosystem, including enterprise electronic research administration (eRA) systems, research analytics, AI-enabled services, research data environments, web platforms, and research technology operations. The Director leads institutional efforts to modernize research technologies, improve research administration systems, strengthen research security and compliance, and expand analytics, automation, AI, and digital transformation capabilities. The position collaborates with university leadership, faculty, research administration, compliance offices, central IT, and external partners to align research technology investments with institutional priorities and regulatory requirements. This role serves as Divisional leadership for research technology strategy, planning, governance, and innovation., * Provide strategic leadership and oversight for enterprise eRA systems supporting proposal development, compliance, award management, reporting, and research administration operations.

• Help direct research enterprise technology strategy and policy, modernization initiatives, system integrations, and digital transformation efforts.
• Oversee research analytics, dashboards, reporting environments, research intelligence tools, and data-driven decision-support services.
• Establish governance, security, compliance, and operational standards for research technologies, research data, and regulated environments.
• Lead development and adoption of AI-enabled services and tools, automation initiatives, advanced analytics capabilities, and emerging research technologies.
• Oversee and help train the research community on research computing resources, enterprise software, collaboration platforms, web systems, and technology infrastructure.
• Help manage budgets, contracts, software licensing, procurement activities, vendor relationships, and technology investments.
• Supervise Research IT personnel and provide leadership for multidisciplinary technical teams and cross-functional initiatives.
• Partner with university leadership, faculty, administrators, compliance offices, sponsors, and external organizations to advance institutional research priorities and advise the research community on best practices and software.
• Develop and monitor strategic plans, assessments, performance metrics, executive reports, and recommendations regarding research technology operations, risks, and future investments.

Additional Information to Applicants: Texas State University seeks an innovative and collaborative leader to advance enterprise research technologies and support institutional research growth. The Director of Research IT will guide strategic initiatives involving eRA systems, analytics, AI-enabled services, research data infrastructure, research security, and digital transformation.

The successful candidate will bring experience leading complex technology operations, building partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups, and supporting modern research ecosystems in higher education, government, healthcare, or research-intensive organizations.

Please note that this position may require occasional evening, weekend, or travel that falls outside of normal business hours defined as Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

• Certifications
• Project Portfolio or Strategic Planning Samples
• Veteran’s Preference Documents
• Additional Supporting Materials

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and seven years of progressively responsible experience.
• Experience leading enterprise research technology operations, research administration systems, or large-scale institutional technology initiatives.
• Experience administering or overseeing eRA systems such as Kuali, Cayuse, Huron, InfoEd, or similar enterprise research platforms.
• Experience leading technology initiatives involving systems integration, cloud services, analytics, enterprise software, research computing, AI-enabled technologies, or data infrastructure.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in strategic planning, personnel supervision, budgeting, project management, stakeholder engagement, multidisciplinary teams, and organizational change.
• Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, faculty, researchers, staff, and external partners.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in computer science, data science, information systems, data analytics, artificial intelligence, or a related discipline.
• Experience supporting federally funded research environments and sponsor systems such as Grants.gov, NSF Research.gov, NIH eRA Commons, or DOE platforms.
• Experience implementing research data governance, research security, compliance, or regulated research programs.
• Experience with cloud computing, advanced analytics, high-performance computing, AI-enabled research services, or enterprise data environments.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity and compliance frameworks including NIST 800-171, HIPAA, FERPA, or similar standards.

• Amazing health insurance: various coverage options starting your first day of employment for full-time employees with Texas State paying 100% of the employee premium and 50% for your dependents!
• Generous paid time off: vacation, holidays, sick days and many more!
• Excellent work life balance resources: mother and family-friendly resources in addition to a comprehensive FREE wellness program
• Great professional development opportunities: choose from a variety of workshops, training, online learning and even access educational leave opportunities and reimbursement for academic courses
• An inclusive Bobcat community: join our many social networks offered on and off-campus
• Retirement peace of mind: TRS pension, retirement plans and voluntary saving options with generous employer contributions

By joining the Texas State Bobcat team, you’ll be a part of one of the most beautiful, diverse, and growing universities in the nation.

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Texas State University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal or state law in employment, educational programs, and activities and admissions.

Employment with Texas State University is contingent upon the outcome of record checks and verifications including, but not limited to, criminal history, driving records, education records, employment verifications, reference checks, and employment eligibility verifications., Texas State University is a emerging research institution located in the burgeoning Austin-San Antonio corridor and in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. It is the largest of eight campuses in the Texas State University System and one of the 75 largest universities in the country, with over 38,000 students and approximately 4,000 faculty and staff

Texas State is located in San Marcos, a growing community of over 50,000 people located about half way between Austin and San Antonio. Texas State enjoys a setting that is unique among Texas universities. The beauty of the crystal-clear San Marcos River and the stately cypress and pecan trees on the campus add to the charm of the university’s picturesque setting. Our location on the banks of the San Marcos River provides outdoor recreational activities throughout the year.